Do you love Freedom?
Are you Into Liberty?
Does the thought of someone taking away your favorite right boil you in anger?
You might think that makes you an American. Does it?
What does freedom mean? Ask a Democrat and they’ll tell you it’s the right to make decisions about your own body. Ask a Republican and they’ll tell you it’s the right to carry a firearm anywhere you want.
What does liberty mean? Both Democrats and Republicans will tell you it’s the right to freely express your opinion, but if you disparage Joe Biden or Donald Trump, you will soon find out that there’s an imposed limit on liberty. As in, you can say what you want unless I disagree–then you’re a traitor, a dirty commie, a lib, a Magaidiot.
I’ve been around this country for sixty-some years now, if you don’t count the four years I spent overseas when I was in the military, and it appalls me that our disagreements so quickly turn to hate. Especially about things we should all agree on.
So, enough of the buzz words. When someone is praising “freedom” or “liberty” or tells you that this country is all about “preserving your rights,” see the big red warning light flashing. The speaker is using codewords that his or her followers interpret in a specific way, not in the general sense.
When I was 17 years old, and the Vietnam War was still going on (excuse me, “police action”) I volunteered to serve my country in uniform. My friends said I was an idiot. My sister worried I’d end up dead in the jungle. My mother–well, she drove me to my induction, so she evidently overcame her misgivings.
When I went into basic, when I went into my tech training school (radio operator), when I was sent overseas to Turkey and Italy, you know what I found?
Black men and women. White men and women. A few Indians. Asian-Americans. Mexican-Americans. Even a Buddhist.
Folks that were conservative and thought the liberals were ruining the country. Folks that were liberal and thought the conservatives were stalling us on our road to freedom. Middle-of-the-Road folks who thought the conservatives and liberals were crazy.
You know. Americans.
We argued. We talked. We even got a bit steamed at one another.
And at the end of the day, we went to do our jobs together. We worked side by side as a team. We did our duty and did it proudly. We stood in formation in uniform together and never complained that we had to stand next to that conservative asshole or that liberal fool.
You know. Americans.
My brothers and sisters, we can disagree. We should disagree. That’s how things get worked out.
But at the end of the day we love our country, not because my guy is in the White House or your party controls Congress.
We love this country because we’re all in this together. We want this country to succeed, no matter which party is in power.
There are some things bigger than party. There are a lot of things bigger than party.
So. Happy 4th of July. Enjoy your fireworks. Enjoy your opinions. Argue with the guy next door or that cute girl at the Starbuck’s.
But remember, we’re all in this together. Regardless of color, religion, nationality.
Really, I can’t believe I have to remind you of this.
Mark Bruce, Writer 